George and Amal Clooney have spared no expense when it comes to security at their sprawling estate in Provence, France.
The Ocean's Eleven actor, 65, and his human rights lawyer wife, 48, purchased the property in the walled town of Brignoles in August 2021 for a reported $8.3 million.
Along with the 18th-century house itself, the sprawling property also features a vineyard, a private lake and a grass tennis court.
© Getty ImagesJournalists from Le Parisian newspaper recently travelled to Brignoles to get a glimpse of the home but were reprimanded by security on the street outside.
The reporters were told: "Please! You are on private property. You don't have the right. Thank you. Have a nice day."
The journalists later observed that the Clooneys' guards are "watching all the time" around the property.
Searching for privacy
Locals in the area told Le Parisian that they have never seen George or Amal, or their nine-year-old twins Ella and Alexander around the village.
This is in contrast to Brignoles' mayor, Didier Brémond, who previously described how friendly the couple were, telling Paris Match their presence had breathed "new life" into the town.
© AFP via Getty ImagesIt was said George and Amal were first drawn to the idea of living in France due to its lack of paparazzi, something they struggle with in America.
The couple have obtained French citizenship, with Kentucky native George able to keep his American citizenship alongside it.
Speaking about moving to France, he told local broadcaster RTL: "Here, they don’t take photos of kids. There aren’t any paparazzi hidden at the school gates. That’s number one for us.
"We also have a house in the United States, but our happiest place is on this farm where the kids can have fun."
© Mike Marsland/WireImageAccording to a report by Paris Match, George is so concerned about protecting his family's privacy that he even planted 172 hectares of olive trees around his home after concerns about a lack of fencing.
His priority is to maintain a "peaceful life" for his family, and the picturesque commune in the Var department is the perfect place for it.
The sprawling 425-acre home is a mere ten minutes away from close friend Brad Pitt's wine estate of Miraval, which he purchased in 2008.
